CDT Engineering: ICT Network Upgrade and Centralization Proposal

This report presents a comprehensive proposal for improving the ICT network infrastructure at CDT Engineering. The current network is analyzed, highlighting the need for centralization and upgrades to support the firm's global communication requirements. The proposal details the necessary ICT equipment, including routers, switches, servers, and firewalls, along with a budget and implementation plan. A logical network design is presented, emphasizing a flat network structure for easy administration. The implementation plan includes a Gantt chart outlining the activities and timeline for the network configuration, from surveying and cabling to router setup and testing. The goal is to create a secure, efficient, and centralized network that meets CDT Engineering's current and future needs.

Table of Contents
Introduction...............................................................................................................................................2
Scope of the Proposal..............................................................................................................................2
Analysis of ICT Equipment’s...................................................................................................................3
Development of the solution......................................................................................................................5
Logical design.........................................................................................................................................7
Implementation of the plan.......................................................................................................................7
Conclusion..................................................................................................................................................9
References List.........................................................................................................................................10

Introduction
When we are planting the network in a small firm it may come in two ways that is through
developing the formulation of the network from the scratch without any network to have ever
been laid there before. Secondly is laying the network to a place or small firm where there is
already an existing network and all you need is extension or expansion of the already in place
network. When we implement a network from scratch may be easy as whatever we do we do
from scratch but when we try expanding it may cost a lot of time, also resources because the
incompatibilities and poor design of the already existing network.
The idea behind this proposal is improving the ICT network in CDT engineering. The digital
growth in the economy and a lot of shifting of jobs across Europe by CDT Engineering has led to
client to establish themselves by connecting with their clients globally. For the global
communication to be effective there is need for an advanced network to be laid on. The CDT
need the network administrator to centralize the network of the firm in the manner that all the
issues that arises will be attended with the help of a locally centralized administrator account.
The biggest idea here is redesigning the network again such that it is centralized and that the
admin can easily manage the accounts. The departments to be re-laid again are the admin
(Managing department), the store department and the technical department. The idea here will be
based on analyzing the requirements of the ICT, developing the solution, implementing the
recommended plan and lastly providing a summary of all what has been done.
Scope of the Proposal
The proposal will provide a framework that is extensible in the manner that it produces or gives
out all the requirements within the organizations and specifications. Upgrading the network with
the mind that some of the devices are outdated might be stiff and harsh cost wise but the idea is
satisfying the need of the client. In this concept we will use a Flat network design in designing
the new network and focusing on how to make it to be centralized and in the manner that all the
network users are easily administered and that is from the MD to the TD. The areas to be
revisited and planned again is the network design of CDT and with the knowledge of what it is
then we can come up with a new and improved logical structure which will definitely help us in
creating a good suitable and satisfying physical topology for the business.

Analysis of ICT Equipment’s
In this section we need to know what we need in making this logical structure more appealing
and satisfying to CDT. The current ICT infrastructure has the following devices for the network.
Department Devices Shared Devices
MD One Desktop They all share the same
printer that is located in the
managing director (MD)
office
Admin Six desktops
Store One desktop
TD One Desktop
Consultant Three laptops
Printer
From the shown information above we realize that we really only need the major devices for
internet connection. This is because the most and direct used devices are already in place
Device Functionality
1 Router This is a device that is used in connecting the connected devices to the
internet (fisher, 2017). It is sometimes referred to as the gateway. This is
known for keeping track of all the internet protocol (IP) addresses and
the physical/MAC addresses. It is good to note that the Ip addresses the
used PC internet address while the Media Access Control (MAC)
addresses each and every ID of any physical device communicating
over the network.
2 WI-FI Router
(WAP)
This a point where computers can access the network (Mitchell, 2018).
There is a device that will link all the three consultants’ users using the
laptops. The device used for transmitting and receiving is referred to as
“Transceiver” this gadget is used for provision of a bridge between all
wired and the wireless networks (Beklin, 2017). They are mostly used in
covering the broad area in small firm like CDT Engineering.
3 Server A server is used when implementing the client server network (Bradley,
2018). The server will be used when we want to share information over
the network. Servers in this case will be used by the network
administrator to monitor and manage all other users in a centralized

manner (Hope, 2017). One of the main server to be used will be the file
server (Techterms, 2016). The file server to be used will be Windows
Server 2012.
4 Switch A switch is a networking device that is used for connection of devices
together where it uses packet switching in receiving, processing and
forwarding data to destination devices Invalid source specified. .
5 Internet This can be modem where we will have the service provider who offers
the internet to the firm.
6 Printer Is a shared device in a network used for printing hardcopy of the
softcopy.
7 Firewalls This is a device that will be used over the network for filtering the
packets or the traffic flow (Cisco, 2017). The idea here is knowing
which data will be allowed and what to block. This can also help in
hiding the small firm network from the world outside. This firewall may
be hardware or software (personalfirewall, 2018). The firewall basic
function is keeping the CDT information private and hence making
network to be less targeted.
8 Cat 5 Ethernet
cable
These are cables that will be used for wiring
9 RJ 45 connector This are connectors that are used for connecting the communicating
devices over the network.
.
From what is above and what is required by CDT engineering we realize that we need to set up a
Local Area network where we will need the following equipment’s to help in improving the
network and meeting the CDT Engineering requirements. Some of the needed and must be used
devices are as explained in the table above.
For any network there must be an analysis done in where we indicate the equipment’s and
gadgets used for the plan to be a success. The following gadgets will be evaluated and a
complete budget and cost depending on their specifications and what they are supposed to
achieve in real sense and according to the CDT Engineering (Walsh, 2015).

Development of the solution
The development of the design is entirely based on two things and that is the space available and
the budget that is set aside for the development. The budget sometimes may constrain the way
the network designer want but all of it all in this case the following will be budget plan case
scenario as per the considerations of the expected.
Device Requirements Quantity Price
1 File Server Windows Server 2012 which has 64 bit*64
CPU, over 1.4GHZ, 16GB RAM, 2TB hard
disk space
1 £800
2 Printer HP LaserJet 1018 model, uses Window 2000
with a processor of Pentium 166MHz
professor, The printer will support Paper
types and sizes within the following size
ranges. Minimum: 76 x 127 mm (3 x 5
inches) and Maximum: 216 x 356 mm (8.5
x 14 inches), print speed of about 12 pages
per minute, print resolution of up to 1200dpi,
duty cycle of about 3000 single sided pages
monthly at a maximum rate.
1 £250
3 Cat 5e
Ethernet
cable
Has Signal to Noise Ratio, Small delay error,
can handle up to 1000 Mbps (GB Ethernet)
at about 100 MHZ, used for 100Base-T
500metres £1000
4 RJ 45
Connectors
Has standards which are applicable with
TIA/EIA-568C.2., the maximum current and
voltage is 2A/250V with a Contact resistance
of about 20m ohms
Insulation resistance: 100M ohms
Temperature rating (min/max): -25/55 ℃
Max. Insertion/Extractions: 200 mating
50 pieces £10

cycles
5 WAP GLC-T sfp transceiver which has a
1000Base-T, wavelength of about 850 of
fiber type MMF with a core size of up to
62.5 and the cable length being up to 1804
fts
1 £ 1000
6 Router Cisco XR 12406 has a chassis height of
about 18.5inches and Rated input voltage
For each DC-input PEM.48 VDC nominal
1 £1000
7 Switch Cisco Meraki MS120-48 with a Switching
capacity of about 104Gbps, PoE available on
all ports simultaneously, Forwarding rate of
up to 77.38 mbps, Full lifetime hardware
warranty with next-day advanced
replacement included and a Maximum PoE
output of about (48LP) and 370 W.
1 £500
8 Firewalls PA-5200 series firewall with a rack unit of
3u and dimensions of Dimensions—5.25”H
X 21”D X 17.25”W (13.33cm X 52.07cm X
43.81cm), an Operating temperature range of
about 32°F to 122°F (0°C to 50°C)
1 £500
9. Logical
Design
Architectur
e
N/A £300
10 Labor For 3 days £1000
Total £ 6660

Logical design.
The logical design is the logic in form of a drawing on the network will set up physically (Cisco,
2014). The logical design will be based on the current needs, the growth issues and much more
on the cost of the physical network of now the actual network where cables, the routers and
switches are considered (Gabry, 2016). The design logically will entail the IP structure of the
network where we will use the class A, B and C address schemes. The figure below shows the
anticipated logical diagram of the DCT Engineering.
Figure 1 Logical Design (conceptdraw, 2018)
The figure above just explain the anticipated logical diagram of the network of CDT
Engineering. The logical design here clearly shows that there will be PCs which are connected
on a ring topology which are all arranged in bus topology network where all communicate
globally via the internet connections. The laptops below represents the consultants laptops who
will access the network using an access point (WI-FI router) Transceiver. The server is used for
centralizing and managing all the CDT Engineering data and much more the individual accounts.
Implementation of the plan
The implementation is based on what we intend to do with the period of time we are given. The
plan is formulated in the way things are to be implemented from day one to the last day until the

firm now can say that their needs are met and in a way that is as is expected. In this case we may
use a Gantt chart that will perfectly to visualize quickly using a timeline as per the objectives of
the project (Createlyblog, 2017).
The Gantt chart will be as follows which will be a 7 day job for the network configuration.
GANTT CHART OF THE NETWORK DESIGN
Days 1 2 4 5 6 7
Activities
Survey/ Drawing of Logical Design
Cabling all Over
Clipping of all the points and terminating
changing the layout of the devices
Setting the routers and the switches
installation and Configuration of routers and switches
network commissioning
Verification and validation
Testing
Figure 2 GANTT CHART
The Above chart clearly indicates the timeline of all what need to be done. During laying out of
the offices in to the new and standard requirements as per the board of CDT Engineering there
will be some interruption but it won’t affect for long as it will take shorter time in doing that.
Lastly in implementation is placing the printer in a centralized position where all staffs from the
admin to the technical departments can be able to use without interrupting the others when doing
that (DuncanRager, 2015). The new printer to be put on the central position will be fast enough
and the consultants and Admins won’t take too long when printing. The other idea is the
configuration of the Internet protocol addresses of all communicating devices that is all the
desktops, laptops and printers and servers. This will be done in a centralized manner where the

network admin will configure the Ip address using the range of 192.168.1.1 up to 192.168.1.50.
As the network administrator I will make sure all staffs will be given a unique ID and each ones
device will have a unique IP address where he or she will regulate on what to access all what is
significant to the business. The other idea is a configuration where data will be stored on the
server and that each and every individual can access his or her data to any machine that is over
the network.
Conclusion
The conclusion section gives a summary of what has been discussed there above. The main idea
of this proposal was to improve the network of CDT Engineering by analyzing all the existing
communicating devices and the requirements as per the laid budget by the firm. After the
analysis the other step is developing the analysed solution by explaining how much the task will
cost and much more drawing a logical design that will used in setting up the physical topology.
Lastly is doing the implementation of what has already been planned and this will be done by
developing a timeline that will be used by designer and the contractor in laying down the
network.

References List
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What is an Access Point and How is it Different from a Range Extender?, s.l.: Linksys.
Bradley, M., 2018.
Servers Are The Heart and Lungs of the Internet, s.l.: lifewire.
Cisco, 2014.
Campus design summary, Singapore: s.n.
Cisco, 2017.
What Is a Firewall?. [Online]
Available at: https://www.cisco.com/c/en/us/products/security/firewalls/what-is-a-firewall.html
[Accessed 26 April 2018].
conceptdraw, 2018.
Network Printer, Printer in Network Diagrams. [Online]
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[Accessed 10 May 2018].
Createlyblog, 2017. Gantt Chart Templates to Instantly.
Create Project Timelines, 16 August.pp. 25-28.
DuncanRager, 2015.
Clipping a network. [Online]
Available at: https://community.esri.com/thread/23443
[Accessed 26 April 2018].
fisher, T., 2017.
What Is a Router and How Does it Work?, s.l.: Lifewire.
Gabry, O. E., 2016. The logical design is about mapping of entities, relationships, and multi-valued
attributes into a logical schema..
Design: Logical Design (Part 6), 7(5), pp. 72-68.
Hope, C., 2017.
Server, s.l.: computer hope.
Mitchell, B., 2018.
What Is a Wireless Access Point?, s.l.: Lifewire.
personalfirewall, 2018.
What is a Firewall?. [Online]
Available at: https://personalfirewall.comodo.com/what-is-firewall.html
[Accessed 26 April 2018].
Techterms, 2016.
Techterms Server. [Online]
Available at: https://techterms.com/definition/server
[Accessed 26 April 2018].
Walsh, J., 2015.
Budget Constraints: Definition & Formula. [Online]
Available at: https://study.com/academy/lesson/budget-constraints-definition-formula.html
[Accessed 26 april 2018].